A delightful trio of apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch

I imagine that some of you bought or received a new iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch over the holidays, and I want to tell you about some wonderful children's book apps that work with these devices.

PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit is an interactive version of Beatrix Potter's wonderful story. It is a joy to look at, and children will love the way some of the illustrations move. Children can read their book on their own or have it read to them (with highlighted words). Here is a small video to show you what it looks like.



It can be purchased through your device in the interactive children's book category for just $1.99!

There is also a collection of twelve Beatrix Potter books for the iPad that is called Beatrix Potter Collection - Premium Talkie Book. There are not interactive elements, but children can have the books read to them. The titles in the collection are: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, The Tale of Tailor of Gloucester, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies, The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse, and The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes. Though there are no bells and whistles on this one, the artwork looks beautiful, just like in the print books, and this app would be wonderful to have during a car ride or plane journey. Costing only $0.99, this is a good deal. You can find it in the children's book category or by using the search.



Another interactive book that I was thrilled to see was the Alice in Wonderland for iPad. The illustrations are beautiful and the interactive elements will hook children on this deliciously bizarre story. You can try the book out for free in the Lite version. Here is a movie to show you what it looks like. The full version costs $8.99



I will have some more children's book app recommendations for you next week. Enjoy!

Storybird - A website for readers, writers, and illustrators.

For those of you out there who like to write or illustrate, I have a treat for you. Take a look at Storybird, a website where you can write stories, or create art for stories. You can write by yourself, or collaborate with other people. You can even have the stories you created printed in book form. Or, if you don't feel like creating, you can read and look at other people's creations. Here is a little video about Storybird.

And here is a quick tour describing how to use Storybird.

I am going to try this out myself very soon. What a great idea!

Random House releases a new app for the iPad

RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS AND SMASHING IDEAS RELEASE

FIRST BOOK-BASED CHILDREN’S APP FOR iPAD

Wild About Books for iPad available in iTunes store on December 16th

Random House Children’s Books (www.randomhouse.com/kids), together with leading digital media agency Smashing Ideas, today announced that Wild About Books for iPad will be available in the iTunes store on December 16th. Based on the New York Times bestselling children’s picture book Wild About Books, by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Marc Brown, the app retails for $7.99, but is available now for a special introductory price of $4.99. This is the first product in the partnership between Random House, Inc. and Smashing Ideas, with more interactive digital books based on key properties such as pat the bunny, Little Golden Books^®, and others scheduled to follow in the coming months.

“Wild About Books for iPad is packed full of delightful interactive elements and sound effects that will encourage kids to explore each page and come back to the app time and again," said Chip Gibson, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books. “Every scene of the story uses the iPad screen and capabilities to deliver new experiences for readers.”

The award-winning picture book now roars to life in 16 animated and interactive scenes where kids can tilt, swipe, and tap their way through Judy Sierra’s rollicking rhymed story. Readers can choose to listen or turn off the narration and read at their own pace. Whether they’re making monkeys flip, beach balls bounce, animals stampede, or bears burp, parents and kids are sure to laugh, learn, and get wild about books together.

“Wild About Books for iPad capitalizes on a groundbreaking 3-D interpretation,” said Ben Roberts, Director, ePublishing, Smashing Ideas and co-creator of Alice for the iPad. “Marc Brown’s gorgeous illustrations are linked to iPad movements so that each page becomes a scene in a 3-D world that you can twist and turn to intimately navigate and explore.”

Wild About Books, Judy Sierra’s funny animal tale about librarian Molly McGrew, who introduces animals to reading, was published in 2004 to critical acclaim, winning the coveted E. B. White Read Aloud Award. With playful art paintings by Arthur creator Marc Brown, it was also named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and a Book Sense Book of the Year. Having sold nearly 500,000 copies to date, it has found a permanent place on bookshelves in libraries and homes across the country.

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, eBooks, and apps, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s website, Kids @ Random (www.randomhouse.com/kids) offers an array of activities, games and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless, and more have called upon the company to develop engaging, online, ITV, and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the U.K.

An interview with Andy Stanton, the creator of the Mr. Gum books

Though Mr. Gum has not yet taken America by storm, he has become something of a celebrity with young readers in the U.K. Mr. Gum was created by Andy Stanton - who was the inaugural winner of the prestigious Roald Dahl award in 2008. Sales of the Mr Gum books have now reached in excess of 870,000 copies  in Britain alone, and translation rights for Mr Gum have been sold in 27 languages around the globe. Mr Gum’s list of awards is as long as his scabby arm. To date he has won the Blue Peter Award for Most Fun Book With Pictures, the inaugural Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Fantastic Book Award, and he has been nominated for the the Guardian Children’s Book Prize and the NIBBIES Children’s Book of the Year.


This is a description of the first Mr. Gum book, You're a bad man Mr. Gum!
Weird, wacky and one in a million! Mr Gum is a truly nasty old man. He's absolutely grimsters. But this book's not just about him. There's also a little girl called Polly, an evil butcher, heroes and sweets and stuff, and Jake the dog WHO MUST BE SAVED FROM TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE EVIL. 


Here is an interview with the Andy Stanton. He tells us about the latest Mr. Gum title, Mr. Gum and the secret Hideout. 

The winner of the 2010 National book Award for Young People's Literature is announced

Mockingbird, written by Kathryn Erskine, is the winner of the 2010 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Here is a summary of the book from the publisher. I will be reviewing the book myself very soon

In Caitlin's world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon's dead and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger's, she doesn't know how. When she reads the definition of closure, she realizes that is what she needs. In her search for it, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white—the world is full of colors—messy and beautiful.

Kathryn Erskine has written a must-read gem, one of the most moving novels of the year.

Calling all Magic Tree House fans! There is a new website to explore.

RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS LAUNCHES

ALL-NEW MAGICTREEHOUSE.COM, THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE

FOR THE BESTSELLING MAGIC TREE HOUSE SERIES

The Comprehensive New Web Site Is Soon to Be a Favorite Destination

Among Young Readers, Educators, and Parents

(November 10, 2010, New York, NY)—Random House Children’s Books (www.randomhouse.com/kids) is thrilled to announce the launch of the all-new www.MagicTreeHouse.com, the online home for Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series. For nearly 20 years Mary Pope Osborne’s bestselling and internationally beloved series about a brother and sister who travel through time has been trusted by parents and educators for its ability to simultaneously educate and entertain young readers. Brimming with engaging and interactive features for audiences of all ages, the site adds an exciting and enriching dimension to the Magic Tree House reading experience.

A lively animated intro leads visitors to the home page, which features a bookshelf where children can view the full series, read excerpts, and create a personal wish list. The site features a fun and educational new game, Magic Tree House Missions, in which children join characters Jack and Annie as they travel through time and collect clues to solve puzzles and complete missions. The game features more than 60 unique missions and over 250 trivia questions based on facts found in the books. Children can also sign up to receive personalized Tree House Mail from Jack and Annie, and send and receive messages from author Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce, co-author of the nonfiction companion Research Guides.

Additionally, the On Stage section of the Web site lets visitors explore the ways they can see the book series come to life through live dramatic performance. Fans can learn more about Magic Tree House: The Musical, a live musical adaptation of the series; Passport to Reading: A Magic Tree House Live Event, a touring events program that will bring Jack and Annie’s adventures to bookstores throughout the U.S.; Magic Tree House: Space Mission, the world’s only full dome planetarium show based on the series—and more.

Educators will soon discover MagicTreeHouse.com to be a favored destination of their own. The redesigned Teachers Club offers a wide array of resources, including lesson plans and 100 printable activities to help teachers incorporate the series into their curriculum. In addition, the Classroom Idea Forum is a new feature that enables teachers to chat and share ideas. Parents will also enjoy access to activities that they can do with their children and a calendar of upcoming Magic Tree House events. They will also be able to track their child’s wish list.

 “Mary Pope Osborne is one of the most beloved children’s authors of our time and it is a joy for me to witness the hugely positive influences her books have had on young readers around the world. I am delighted that the quintessential Magic Tree House experience of adventure and imagination can now be enjoyed and experienced in a whole new way,” says Mallory Loehr, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, Random House Books for Young Readers.

Random House Children’s Books collaborated with Cricket Moon Media to create MagicTreeHouse.com. Magic Tree House fans can also enjoy the series on Facebook at Facebook.com/MagicTreeHouse, and on Twitter at Twitter.com/RandomHouseKids.

About Magic Tree House

Mary Pope Osborne’s celebrated Magic Tree House series has sold 70 million copies in North America and has been translated into 28 different languages in 31 countries. First published in 1992, the series continues to be widely regarded among children, teachers, and parents alike for its power to instill a passion for reading. With the recent launch of the entire Magic Tree House series in e-book form (June 2010), the series is available in the now-customary three platforms—print, audio, and digital.

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and e-books, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s Web site Kids @ Random (www.randomhouse.com/kids) offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

A letter from Sneed Collard - An author who has created a publishing company

A few weeks ago I read an article about an author who decided to create his own publishing business. It is getting harder than ever to break into children's publishing, so Sneed Collard took the next step. I asked him to tell me a little about his journey. This is his story.

Dear Through the Looking Glass:


Seventeen months ago, I took my family to eastern Montana during a school visit trip to Miles City. Thanks to my sponsors there, I was able to time my visit for the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale. The trip not only led to my newest book, but to my own publishing company, Bucking Horse Books.

As any writer knows these days, it’s gotten almost impossible to sell a book to an established publisher—especially for terms that are even remotely reasonable to the author. Even though I had published 55 books with more than a dozen different publishers, I was getting very discouraged by the shrinking opportunities to publish quality children’s books. Most publishers these days just aren’t interested in anything without crass commercial appeal. Witness the virus-like spread of celebrity children’s books and series about vampires.

Still, I couldn’t resist writing about the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale. The Sale began in 1951 as a way for local ranchers to get rid of “spoiled” horses that wouldn’t do any work. A couple of enterprising cowboys thought “Hey, why don’t we invite rodeo producers up to Miles City and auction off our unruly stock for rodeos?” Sixty years later, the Sale has evolved into a four-day celebration of Western life, matched only by the Calgary Stampede and Cheyenne Roundup.

Even as I was writing the book, however, I thought “No other publisher is going to buy this. They just won’t understand how popular rodeo actually is and how many people cherish small-town existence.” I was right. After getting 15 rejections, I decided “Okay, this is a message.” Instead of continuing to butt my head against the eastern publishing wall, I hired a brilliant designer here in Missoula, Montana and struck a deal with a local publisher to distribute my new company. Six months later, we launched Bucking Horse Books with our first title, The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale.

The book not only documents the Bucking Horse Sale, but traces the history of rodeo and of eastern Montana frontier life—all illustrated with more than sixty photos, most of which I took myself. You may be wondering, though, if my experiment as a publisher is working? Well, it’s still early, but already The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale has received more publicity than any of my 55 other books. Part of that, of course, has to do with the fact that an established author got fed up with big publishing and decided to break out on his own. I like to think, though, that readers are also fed up with the commercial books being forced down their throats. All across the country, writers are still writing books and stories that reflect the real values and experiences of real people. I like to think that the success of The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale will encourage even the big publishers to re-evaluate and improve the quality of what they offer today’s younger generation.

Sneed B. Collard III has written many popular fiction and nonfiction children’s books including Animal Dads, Pocket Babies and Other Amazing Marsupials, Teeth, and the YA thriller Double Eagle. In 2006, he received the prestigious Washington Post-Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award for his body of work. To learn more about him and Bucking Horse Books, check out www.buckinghorsebooks.com.

The Dear America Books - The series is re-launched by Scholastic

When I first started reviewing books I discovered a series of books that really interested me. They were the Dear America historical fiction books. In this series authors use a diary style format to tell the story of a young person who lived in the past. There is a book about a girl who was on the Titanic, a dust bowl diary, a suffragette diary, a WWII diary, a California gold rush diary, an many more. Now the publishers of this series, Scholastic, are re-launching the series. Here is the information Scholastic sent me about this re-launch.

SCHOLASTIC RE-LAUNCHES ACCLAIMED

DEAR AMERICA® HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK SERIES THIS FALL

WITH NEW PUBLISHING AND ADDITIONAL ONLINE CONTENT PROVIDED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

NEW YORK — September 8, 2010 — Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that it will re-launch the acclaimed and bestselling Dear America® historical fiction series this fall with a combination of all-new publishing and re-issues of classic Dear America titles—plus an exciting new interactive website with historical content provided by the Library of Congress.

Originally launched in 1996, the original Dear America series for readers ages 8 – 14 has more than 14 million copies in print. Written by an array of award-winning and bestselling writers, the Dear America books are presented in diary format from the perspective of girls living at different times in American history. Publication of the series ended in 2004, and fans, booksellers, educators, and parents have requested that the series be brought back into print. The series will re-launch in September 2010 with The Fences Between Us, an all-new story set in the Pacific Northwest during WWII by Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson. Also to be reissued this fall are two classic Dear America titles: A Journey to the New World by bestselling author Kathryn Lasky and The Winter of Red Snow by bestselling author Kristiana Gregory. Both new and re-issued favorites will be published seasonally.

In cooperation with the Library of Congress, Scholastic will further expand the series with two new dedicated Dear America websites; one for fans, one for educators, both launching in September 2010. The Dear America website (www.scholastic.com/dearamerica) for fans will be a fully interactive online community. The site will feature interactive scrapbooks for each Dear America character with online fashion galleries, crafts, recipes, as well as fun downloads. In addition to other games, quizzes, book excerpts, and author interviews, there will also be a moderated “living diary” blog and message board for fans.

      Simultaneously, Scholastic and the Library of Congress will offer teachers and librarians a wealth of lesson plans, historical documents and archival photos, and other teaching resources at the educator site (www.scholastic.com/teachdearamerica). The site also features timelines, author videos, discussion guides, and more, bringing the history in each book to life.  

      “Since its launch in 1996, the Dear America series has been embraced by readers and educators for its combination of rich storytelling and historical accuracy,” said Ellie Berger, President of the Trade Publishing division of Scholastic. “We are pleased to reintroduce this beloved book series by award-winning authors with the added dimension of a rich online experience through our relationship with the Library of Congress.”

“The Library of Congress is excited about this opportunity to collaborate with Scholastic on the re-release of the classic Dear America series,” said Laura Campbell, Associate Librarian for Strategic Initiatives.  “Combining these compelling stories with the Library’s unparalleled primary source collections will help make history more accessible and engaging for teachers and students alike.”

About The Library of Congress

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

September 2010

DEAR AMERICA: The Fences Between Us (NEW)

By Kirby Larson

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-22418-5 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-24954-6 (Audio)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26232-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: A Journey to the New World

By Kathryn Lasky

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23801-4 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26233-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: The Winter of Red Snow

By Kristiana Gregory

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23802-1 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26234-7 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

November 2010

DEAR AMERICA: Voyage on the Great Titanic

By Ellen Emerson White

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23834-2 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26235-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

January 2011

DEAR AMERICA: Like the Willow Tree (NEW)

By Lois Lowry

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-14469-8 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-27371-8 (Audio)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26556-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: A Picture of Freedom

By Patricia C. McKissack

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-24253-0 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26555-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

March 2011

DEAR AMERICA: A Light in the Storm

By Karen Hesse

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-24245-5 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26554-6 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

April 2011

DEAR AMERICA: When Will This Cruel War Be Over?

By Barry Denenberg

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-27598-9 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-27944-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

Exclusive E-Book from Random House

RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS PUBLISHES ITS FIRST-EVER

EXCLUSIVE E-BOOK ORIGINAL

THE DEATH OF JOAN OF ARC:

 A Lost Story from the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

by New York Times bestselling author Michael Scott

The short story e-book original will entertain fans waiting for the next novel

in the bestselling series, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

(August 24, 2010, New York, NY)
For the first time in the publisher’s history, today Random House Children’s Books (www.randomhouse.com/kids) is releasing an e-book original, written by the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Michael Scott and entitled THE DEATH OF JOAN OF ARC: A Lost Story from the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers / $0.99).

The story is available exclusively in digital format and is the newest addition to Scott’s series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, which has sold more than 1 million copies to date in North America. Following on the heels of the publication of The Necromancer (May, 2010), the e-book original is a short story that will fascinate fans. “With the exception of the two teen characters, Michael Scott’s series is based entirely on individuals transplanted from history, mythology, folklore, and legend,” explains Beverly Horowitz, Delacorte publisher. “Michael’s new e-book original is certain to entertain fans and satisfy them as they wait until the publication of the next book in the six-part series, The Warlock (2011).” For more information about Michael Scott and the series visit Facebook.com/SecretsofNicholasFlamel. Fans can also play the online game at QuestfortheCodex.com.

THE DEATH OF JOAN OF ARC: A Lost Story from the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel is available wherever e-books are sold.

In THE DEATH OF JOAN OF ARC, Scott delves into the idea that the legendary Joan of Arc was not, in fact, burned at the stake in Rouen, France, in 1431. Instead, she was rescued from death by Scathach the Warrior. The truth about that day is revealed in the last will and testament of William of York. Scott’s new short story will leave readers wondering if Joan of Arc still roams the Earth today. This e-book original offers a never-before-seen story of two warriors who would become sisters.

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and e-books, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s Web site, Kids @ Random (www.randomhouse.com/kids) offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

A Book Announcement from Roxie Munro

I just got an email from Roxie Munro, a wonderful artist, writer, and a lovely lady. This is what she told me. 

Dear Marya:

I'm thrilled to announce that "EcoMazes: 12 Earth Adventures" has received a Starred review in School Library Journal (June  2010), which says  "... This is truly a complete package: it’s engrossing and interactive, featuring finely and accurately detailed art and covering the basics of an organizational concept that is central to our understanding of the natural world."

What wonderful news! Getting a Starred review in SLJ is a big accomplishment in the book world. Here is my review of Ecomazes.

EcoMazes: 12 Earth Adventures

Roxie Munro

Picture Book

Ages 8 to 10

Sterling, 2010, 978-1-4027-6393-9

    All over our wonderful planet, there are ecosystems. They can be large, like a tropical rainforest, or very small, like the mini pond the lies at the bottom of your yard inside a forgotten bucket. All of these ecosystems are full of creatures of all kinds, fascinating creatures that interact in all kinds of ways. This unique book looks at twelve ecosystems that are found on Earth. For each ecosystem, Roxie Munro has created a beautiful maze that readers have to negotiate. As they ‘travel’ through each ecosystem, they are encouraged to find animals that are hidden in the illustrations.

    The book begins with a tropical rainforest. Readers are told that they are “a biologist checking on the monkeys” and that they have to find their way from the pier to the beach. As they trek through the forest, readers are invited to find an interesting selection of animals that are found in rainforests around the world.

   In addition to the rainforest, Roxie Munro has created maze pictures of a desert, a coral reef, a high mountain, the arctic, a wetland, the tundra, a grassland, the Antarctic, the savanna, a conifer forest, and a temperate forest. At the back of the book, there are pages that show readers where all the hidden animals are in the mazes. In addition, the author has also provide young naturalists with more information about each of the ecosystems that are featured in the book.

    With extraordinary pictures and a wonderfully informative and interesting text, this is a book that should be on every library and classroom shelf.

Congratulations Roxie!

Judy Moody Goes to Hollywood!

Mega-Moody News! A Judy Moody movie - Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer - is coming from Smokewood Entertainment, the Oscar-nominated production company behind the acclaimed film “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.”  John Schultz (“Aliens in the Attic”) will direct the film Screenplay by Kathy Waugh and Megan McDonald Based on characters in the Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, and published by Candlewick Press Production starts August 2010 www.judymoodythemovie.com RARE! And there’s more! No joke! There is a way-cool Judy Moody movie tie-in publishing program coming spring 2011 from Candlewick Press Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer  based on the screenplay by Kathy Waugh and Megan McDonald This paperback original includes behind the scenes photos and exclusive material from the movie set Roar! It’s not bad enough that Mom and Dad are heading to California, leaving Judy and Stink with Aunt Awful (er, Opal), but now Judy’s two best friends are going splitsville on her too. Just when it looks like her summer is going to be Bor-ing with a capital B—eureka!—Judy (with some help from Aunt Opal) comes up with the most thrill-a-delic plan ever. Get ready for a race involving tightrope walking, monster-wave-surfing, Scream Monster riding (no hands), an Evil Creature Double Feature, and way more! Add in a treasure hunt for Judy’s teacher, a midnight stakeout, a runaway ice-cream truck, a chase scene with a dash of Bigfoot, and what have you got? The Judy Moodiest summer ever! Judy Moody Goes Hollywood In this full-color hardback you get to sneak onto the set of the Judy Moody movie with Judy and her friends! Judy, Frank Pearl, Stink, Rocky, Mr. Todd, Amy Namey, Jessica Finch, even Mouse, and a few new characters each take a moment to talk about the stuff they think is especially THRILLING about being on a movie set! Who’s inside scoop is the most thrilling of all? You can decide by awarding each character points. At the end of the book, count ‘em up. Zero points? Snoresville! Mega-points? THRILL-o-rama! With More Titles to Come! Get all the Judy Moody-est news at: www.judymoody.com

Best wishes, Your friends at Candlewick Press

The Professor Garfield Foundation

I recently ran across a website that I would like to share it with you. It is a learning portal created by the Professor Garfield Foundation. Here is a little information about the foundation:

The Professor Garfield Foundation learning portal is a fun interactive online environment where children can safely explore, learn and creatively express themselves. The Foundation (PGF) was formed in 2003 as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization to provide children, parents, and teachers an opportunity to enhance and support classroom learning in new and innovative ways.

Who Runs It?

The PGF Learning Portal is a partnership between Paws, Inc., the world headquarters of Garfield the Cat, and Ball State University, one of the preeminent educators of classroom teachers in the world. 

Why a Learning Portal?

For over 25 years, Garfield creator, Jim Davis, has been encouraged by countless letters from parents telling him how Garfield has helped their child learn how to read. Numerous educators have also used Garfield and his comic strip friends as a powerful tool to teach and motivate children in the classroom. As a result, Jim has long held that the comics be not only a way to a child’s heart and funny bone, but also a student’s brain.

Jim’s vision was to create a learning portal where children would want to visit because they would have fun, express themselves, and learn simultaneously.

Content ranges from traditional subjects, such as reading, writing and arithmetic, to career goal exploration, art and activities created expressly for kids with LDs.

Our partners include some of the finest corporate, technological, and educational organizations in the world including Ball State University, the Charles and Helen Schwab Learning Foundation, Pearson, Scholarship America and The National Institutes of Health.

Who is Professor Garfield For?

PGF offers fun, engaging and transforming educational content for school children between kindergarten and 8th grade. The educational content is upgraded continuously and presented in a popular culture entertainment format. All of the content has been reviewed by educational experts and tested in classroom settings.

There are all kinds of wonderful things on the site. If you have a small child or children in your house you might like to take a look at the free toon e-books that they have online. Your children can have the books read to them, and they can choose from five languages.